Open Eyes, Open Hearts

Stonecroft’s mission to reach every woman in every walk of life requires a wide variety of outreaches. In this, our 80th year of ministry, we pray for more Gospel-sharing opportunities than ever before – more Women’s Connections, more Stonecroft Bible Studies, more international partners, more Stonecroft Military ministries, more prison outreaches, more Story Marks gatherings, more hubs, and more evangelism training to prepare women for Gospel-centered conversations.

Some of the most exciting outreach opportunities happen in the most ordinary places – a sidewalk conversation with a neighbor, an encouraging word for a frazzled co-worker in the lunchroom, or a simple smile shared with the person behind you in the checkout line. Outreach begins when we open our eyes to the people around us, just as Jesus did.

Jesus had eyes for people who needed Him. He spied a tax collector perched in a tree and chose to dine at his house (Luke 19:1-9). He saw a thirsty woman at a well and offered her living water (John 4:1-26). He spotted a widow about to bury her only son and He brought him back to life because His heart overflowed with compassion (Luke 7:11-17).

Jesus welcomed little children and blessed them (Mark 10:13-16). He touched and healed those the religious leaders considered “unclean” (Luke 5:12-13). He praised a repentant woman whom others scorned, and refused to condemn a woman about to be stoned for adultery (Luke 7:44-46 and John 8:1-11).

A wealthy man asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” and Jesus recounted many of the commandments. The rich man claimed he kept them all, but Jesus knew that the man broke the first commandment by treasuring riches more than God. The Savior could have turned away, but “Jesus looked at him and loved him” (Mark 10:21a, NIV).

Oh, to have the eyes of Jesus. Eyes of love and a heart of compassion. Eyes that notice pain and a heart that longs to bring comfort. Eyes that see the stranger and a heart compelled to welcome her. Eyes that search for those who need Jesus and a heart that loves others too much to shy away from talking about Him.

Stonecroft has many types of outreach, but one unchanging message: Jesus came to seek and to save. Now, more than ever, let’s make it our mission to search for the searching, to comfort the hurting, to take the Gospel to those who haven’t heard it, and to tell it to those who need to hear it again. Let’s pray for open eyes, open hearts, and the compassion to share our greatest Treasure.

Scriptures: Luke 19:1-9, John 4:1-26, Luke 7:11-17, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 5:12-13, Luke 7:44-46, John 8:1-11, Mark 10:17-22, NIV

• In your daily life, do you keep an eye out for others who might need Jesus? If so, what do you do? If not, what distracts you?
• Who noticed you and told you about the Gospel? What could have prevented them from seeing you and sharing Jesus Christ?